30 Years of Advancing Space Innovation (1996–2026)

As the Satellite Research Centre (SaRC) marks its 30th anniversary, we reflect on a journey that has evolved from building Singapore’s earliest satellites to shaping how space technologies generate meaningful information and real-world impact on Earth.

Since the launch of XSAT in 2011, SaRC has designed, built, tested, and operated more than ten satellites, establishing strong end-to-end capabilities spanning mission conception, spacecraft engineering, in-orbit operations, and data exploitation. These missions have provided critical space heritage and laid the foundation for today’s more ambitious and complex research directions.

Today, SaRC brings together 36 faculty members across multiple schools within NTU, driving both upstream and downstream space research that spans engineering, science, data analytics, and applications. This multidisciplinary strength enables the Centre to address complex challenges—from advanced space instrumentation and satellite platforms to data fusion, analytics, and decision-support systems—by leveraging deep expertise across the University.

Our impact extends well beyond academia. NTU Space has incubated successful space startups, including Aliena and ZES, translating research outcomes into deployable, real-world technologies. Internationally, SaRC works closely with industry partners through initiatives such as the S4TIn Joint Laboratory with Thales, supporting collaborative research and a joint PhD programme that develops globally competitive talent. A notable milestone is the successful launch and operation of VELOX-II in December 2015, featuring Addvalue Technologies’ Inter-Satellite Data Relay System (IDRS). Today, Addvalue’s IDRS has become a de facto industry solution for real-time inter-satellite messaging, enabling control and monitoring of satellite constellations.

As SaRC enters its next chapter, our focus is no longer solely on building satellites. The true value lies in how space is used—how compact and intelligent instruments deliver high-quality data, how satellite constellations operate collectively, and how seamless integration between space and ground systems transforms data into actionable insights for society.

With three decades of heritage and a clear vision for the future, SaRC remains committed to advancing space technologies, enabling impactful applications, and driving multidisciplinary innovation across the University and beyond.

Lim Wee Seng
Executive Director
Satellite Research Centre (SaRC)